Analog caller identification transmission method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method for routing analog Caller ID signals includes receiving an incoming telephone call for a first telephone extension, the incoming telephone call associated with a first set of analog Caller ID signals, asserting a ringing signal to the first telephone extension, the ringing signal including the first set of analog Caller ID signals, coupling the incoming call to the first telephone extension, receiving a request to couple the incoming call from the first telephone extension to a second telephone extension, receiving a request to send the first set of analog Caller ID signals to the second telephone extension, and asserting a ringing signal to the second telephone extension, the ringing signal including the first set of analog Caller ID signals.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention disclosure claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 60/115,879, filed Jan. 13, 1999, entitled TelephoneServer Method and Apparatus. That application is herein by incorporatedby reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to computer telephony. More specifically,the present invention relates to telephone servers for transferring andforwarding analog caller identification data from incoming telephonecalls.

Present day analog telephone systems in the United States typically relyupon standards set by Bellcore, the standards division of the formerBell Telephone Company. These exhaustive standards detail the magnitudesof a variety of telephone related signals, the periods of signals, thetimings of signals, and the like. For example, these Bellcore standardsspecify a range of voltages necessary to power an analog telephone, arange for voltages necessary to ring a ringer of a telephone, methodsfor indicating when messages are waiting in a voice mail-type system,and the like. Many other such standards are also described, includingthe methods for encoding analog information, and the like.

In the past, typical private branch exchange (PBX) systems for largecorporations included computer systems having proprietary switchinghardware and proprietary control software. These traditional PBX systemswere very costly in terms of the hardware and the software required, aswell as very costly in terms of the maintenance and the servicerequired. For example, traditional PBX systems typically ranged in costof tens of thousands of dollars for a simple PBX system to hundreds ofthousands of dollars for a large PBX system and on up. Such PBX systemswere thus very costly, especially for smaller to medium sizedbusinesses.

Within the past two decades, the PBX industry has migrated fromtraditional analog switching to high-speed digital switching systems. Asa result of the conversion to digital switching, there has been atremendous increase in telephone and switching functionality. Forexample, functionality such as call forwarding, conference calling,caller identification, and the like became relatively straightforward toprogram, to implement, and to maintain.

In order to provide the benefits of digital PBX system to users, digitaltelephones were developed for use with the respective PBX systems. Withsuch digital telephones, the telephone signals, such as ringing, andvoice, are typically transmitted in a conventional manner. However,additional digital data lines were provided to allow the user to sendand receive digital data to and from the PBX system. For example,typical digital data included indicator lights, such as a messageindicator light, telephone numbers of internal and external callers,speed dial functionality, do not disturb requests, and the like. Thesedigital PBX systems, however, were still very expensive for small tomedium sized businesses.

Only recently have solutions been developed to reduce the cost of PBX.This was due in part to the increased processing power of personalcomputers and the availability of more robust real-timemulti-processing, multi-threaded operating systems. Other reasons forthe paradigm shift from traditional PBX systems to “computer telephony”was the introduction of dedicated computer plug-in boards and softwarethat provided PBX switching functionality.

The new computer telephony integration (CTI) model has drasticallyreduced the costs of PBX systems by providing relatively low costhardware and open and maintainable software. One of the pioneeringcompanies in the field of computer telephony integration was AltiGenCommunications' AltiServ™ and Quantum™ products.

One drawback faced by many companies installing a traditional PBX systemwas that it typically required the purchaser of the PBX system to buyonly digital telephones compatible with that PBX system. For example,digital telephones from Siemens would be required to work with a SiemensPBX, and the like. Digital telephones very thus expensive. For example,the cost of a typical digital office telephone today approachesapproximately $250. In contrast, in the home/consumer market, an analogtelephone having the some of the same functionality as the digitaloffice telephone, or additional functionality (e.g. cordless) costsapproximately $100.

Additional drawbacks to digital telephones for traditional PBX systemsincluded that there is little if any market for compatible accessories,for example, answering machines, and the like. In contrast, in the homemarket, users can simply mix and match components for use with theiranalog telephones. For example, typical components include computermodems, answering machines, head sets, extension cords, and the like. Inthe home market, due to the large number of vendors and interchangeableproducts, these market forces keep the prices of analog telephoneequipment low.

Other drawbacks to having traditional digital PBX systems include thatinstallation of the PBX systems typically required a high degree ofcustom wiring, equipment, interfaces, and the like for the digitaltelephones. Further, installation of additional telephone extensionlines would be a major undertaking. Another drawback is that becausethere is a great amount of dedicated hardware required for a typical PBXsystem, users would be typically be locked into a particular vendorafter initial purchase, even if the service and support received wasunacceptable.

Thus, in light of the above, what is needed in the industry are improvedmethods and apparatus using analog telephone equipment for PBX systemsproviding extended functionality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for improvedanalog caller identification functionality. In particular, the presentinvention relates to re-generation and forwarding of analog calleridentification signals using novel methods and apparatus.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method forrouting analog Caller ID signals includes receiving an incomingtelephone call for a first telephone extension, the incoming telephonecall associated with a first set of analog Caller ID signals, assertinga ringing signal to the first telephone extension, the ringing signalincluding the first set of analog Caller ID signals, and coupling theincoming call to the first telephone extension. The method also includesreceiving a request to couple the incoming call from the first telephoneextension to a second telephone extension, receiving a request to sendthe first set of analog Caller ID signals to the second telephoneextension, and asserting a ringing signal to the second telephoneextension, the ringing signal including the first set of analog CallerID signals.

According to another embodiment, a computer program product for routinganalog identification data in a telephone server including a processorincludes a tangible media including software code that directs theprocessor to detect an incoming telephone call for a first telephoneextension, the incoming telephone call associated with a first set ofanalog identification data, software code that directs the processor toassert a ringing signal to the first telephone extension, the ringingsignal including the first set of analog identification data, andsoftware code that directs the processor to couple the incoming call tothe first telephone extension. Software code that directs the processorto detect a request to couple the incoming call from the first telephoneextension to a second telephone extension, and software code thatdirects the processor to detect a request to transfer the first set ofanalog information data to the second telephone extension, are alsoincluded. The tangible media also includes software code that directsthe processor to assert a ringing signal to the second telephoneextension, the ringing signal including the first set of analoginformation data.

According to yet another embodiment, a telephone server is disclosed forrouting an analog information signal. The telephone server includes aprocessor and a computer readable memory. The computer readable memoryincludes executable code that directs the processor to detect atelephone call from an external telephone for a first internaltelephone, the telephone call associated with an analog informationsignal, executable code that directs the processor to decode the analoginformation signal for caller data, and executable code that directs theprocessor to store the caller data. Executable code that directs theprocessor to form a re-generated analog information signal in responseto the caller data, executable code that directs the processor toprovide a ringer signal to the first internal telephone, the ringersignal including the regenerated analog information signal, andexecutable code that directs the processor to couple the telephone callto the first internal telephone, are also included. The computerreadable memory also includes executable code that directs the processorto detect a request to forward the telephone call from the firstinternal telephone to a second internal telephone, executable code thatdirects the processor to detect a request to forward the caller data tothe second internal telephone, and executable code that directs theprocessor to assert a ringer signal to the second internal telephone,the ringer signal including the re-generated analog information signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more fully understand the present invention, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings arenot to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, thepresently preferred embodiments and the presently understood best modeof the invention are described with additional detail through use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer telephony system according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of a portion of a computertelephony system according to an embodiment of the present invention;and

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate flow diagrams of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS System Overview

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer telephony system 20 according toa preferred embodiment of the present invention. Computer telephonysystem 20 includes a monitor 30, a computer 40, a keyboard 50, agraphical input device 60, and a telephone server 70. Computer 40includes familiar computer components such as a processor 90, and memorystorage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM) 100, a disk drive110, and a system bus 80 interconnecting the above components. Atelephone trunk line 120 and individual telephone lines 130 are coupledto telephone server 70. Handsets 140, (also telephones or telephonehandsets) may be coupled to individual telephone lines 130.

Handsets 140 are preferably analog signal telephone handsets, howeveralternatively they may be any well known type of digital or analogtelephone handset. A mouse is but one example of an input device 370,also known as a pointing device. Other types of input devices mayinclude trackballs, drawing tablets, microphones (for voice activatedinput), and the like. Computer telephony system 20 may be coupled to acomputer network through use of a network interface, not shown, such asan Ethernet card, a modem, and the like.

RAM 100 and disk drive 110 are examples of tangible media for storage ofdata, message files, computer programs, drivers for the telephoneserver, embodiments of the herein described methods, and the like. Othertypes of tangible media include floppy disks, removable hard disks,optical storage media such as CD-ROMS and bar codes, and semiconductormemories such as flash memories, read-only-memories (ROMS), andbattery-backed volatile memories.

In a preferred embodiment, computer telephony system 20 includes an IBMPC compatible computer having '586 or '686 class based microprocessors,such Pentium or PentiumII microprocessors from Intel Corporation.Further, in the present embodiment, computer telephony system 20operates utilizing the WindowsNT operating from Microsoft Corporation,to run AltiWareOE software from AltiGen Communications, Inc. Telephoneserver 70 is preferably embodied as a Quantum PCI based plug-inexpansion board from AltiGen Communications, Inc.

FIG. 1 is representative of but one type of system for embodying thepresent invention. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art that many system types of hardware and softwareconfigurations are suitable for use in conjunction with the presentinvention. For example, any computer communications bus may be used withalternative embodiments of the present invention, further computertelephony system 20 may operate under the LINUX operating system, may beported onto a PowerPC G3 or G4 class microprocessor computer running MACOS 8.5 from Apple Computer Corporation, and the like.

Hardware Description

FIG. 2 is a more detailed block diagram of a portion of a messagingsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2illustrates processor 90, disk drive 110, and telephone server 70. Inthe present embodiment, telephone server 70 includes a signal processor200, a digital to analog and analog to digital coder (CODEC) 210, and amemory 250. Telephone server 70 interfaces with telephone trunk lines220 and with telephone extension lines 230. In turn, telephone extensionlines 230 are coupled to telephone handsets 240.

In the present embodiment, memory storage 110 is used to store audiomessages, such as voice messages, numeric telephone numbers, caller datain caller databases, voice prompt files, and the like, as will bedescribed later.

In FIG. 2, processor 90 is used to control the operation of telephoneserver 70 according to instructions from the AltiWareOE softwarepreviously described. In one embodiment of the present invention,AltiWareOE software, operates in a multi-threaded multi-taskingenvironment, where each thread monitors the status of a particulartelephone extension line 230. The status of the particular telephoneextension line is typically represented as a state machine in thesoftware.

In the present embodiment, processor 90 is also used to convert incomingaudio messages to message files in a storage format, and to convertmessage files and voice prompt files from the storage format to anoutput format (typically digital signals). In the present embodiment,two specific storage formats could be used for audio messages andinclude the well-known “.wav” file format, and a pulse coded modulationscheme (PCM).

In other embodiments of the present invention, a single storage formatmay be used. In other embodiments, other formats for storage of audiomessages and the like are known to those of ordinary skill in the artand can be used. For example, formats such as the “RealAudio” format,MP3, and the like may be also be used in embodiments of the presentinvention.

Signal processor 200 is embodied as a Texas Instruments TMS320C5Xdigital signal processor (DSP), and is coupled to receive instructions,data, and the like from processor 90. Memory 250 is used to store localinstructions, a voice recognition algorithm, discussed below, data forsignal processor 200, and the like. Of course DSPs from othermanufacturers may be used in other embodiments of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, signal processor 200 provides telephoneswitching functionality to each telephone extension line. For example,in this embodiment, signal processor 200 is used to detect off-hookconditions, to provide tone generation, to detect and process key-pad(DTMF) tones generated from each telephone handset 240, to connectincoming telephone calls to appropriate extensions, and the like.

Signal processor 200 is also used to provide messaging functionality,such as an implementation of a voice mail system. In particular, signalprocessor 200 outputs instructions, user prompts, messages, and thelike, to the messaging user. Further, signal processor 200 receivesfunction selections in the form of DTMF tones, spoken instructions, andthe like from the messaging user. As discussed above, memory storage 110may be used to store data associated with the messaging functionality,such as voice prompts, the incoming messages, outgoing messages, and thelike.

Signal processor 200 is also used to convert or “recognize” particularincoming audio messages and translate the messages into a computerrecognizable form. For example, signal processor 200 can recognize thespoken words “three, two, one” as the numeric number “3,2,1”, e.g. ASCIIcharacter equivalents. As another example, signal processor 200 canrecognize the spoken word “yes” or “ok” as an affirmative response, and“no” as a negative response.

In the present embodiment, signal processor 200 is also used to decodeanalog caller identification signals storing caller data. For example,typical caller data may include the telephone number of the telephoneused for the call, a name associated with the telephone, and the like.Typically, the analog caller identification signals are embedded into anincoming telephone signal. One such method is commonly known as CallerID, which is based upon a frequency shifted key (FSK) algorithm. Othermethods for analog encoding caller identification signals are alsocontemplated.

Signal processor 200 is also used to re-encode caller data or to encodeother data into analog caller identification signals. For example,signal processor 200 can be used to re-generate the original incominganalog caller identification signals, can be used to generate analogcaller identification signals with original or additional caller data,and the like. In one embodiment, original data may include a telephonenumber, a name, and the like, and additional caller data may include acaller priority indicator, a geographic location, caller specificinformation, and the like.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, processor 90 maybe used to perform the decoding and encoding process instead of signalprocessor 200. In still another embodiment, the encoding and decodingprocess may be split between processor 90 and signal processor 200.

Signal processor 200 typically comprises a multi-process environmentwherein each process monitors the off-hook and the messaging the statusof a particular telephone extension line 230. The status of theparticular telephone extension line in off-hook mode or in the messagingmode is represented as respective state machines within signal processor200. In one embodiment of the present invention, signal processor 200can process up to twelve telephone extension lines being simultaneouslyin off-hook mode or in messaging mode. In alternative embodiments,monitoring of states of a greater or fewer number of telephone extensionlines 230 is contemplated.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, CODEC 210 is used to provide an interfacebetween users on telephone extension lines 230 and signal processor 200.In the present embodiment, CODEC 210 digitizes analog messages andanalog signals from users on telephone extension lines 230. CODEC 210also converts digital signals from signal processor 200, processor 90,and the like, into analog signals for users on telephone extension lines230. In the present embodiment, the analog signals include audiomessages to and from users, dial tone and multifunction (DTMF) tones,and the like. The analog signals also include voice prompts or phrasesthat provide voice prompting capability to users on telephone extensionlines 230 and messages recorded by users. Examples of voice prompts orphrases, include messages that instruct the user which keys on atelephone to select to perform particular functions, messages that tellthe user how many messages are pending, requests for instructions,requests user input, and the like.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate flowcharts of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Initially an incoming telephone call arrives for a first telephoneextension, step 300. The incoming call is typically an externaltelephone call from telephone trunk 220, although the call may also befrom another internal telephone extension. The incoming call typicallyincludes analog caller identification signals, such as Caller IDsignals. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, othertypes of analog caller identification signals can be used, as discussedabove.

In response to the incoming telephone call, signal processor 200 decodesthe analog caller identification signals to recover the incoming callerdata, step 310. Typical incoming caller data includes the telephonenumber used for the call, a name of the person, company, etc. associatedwith the telephone number, and the like. In other embodiments of thepresent invention, other types of incoming caller data may also beincluded into the analog caller identification signals, such as anaddress associated with the telephone number, a name and address of thecaller, and other caller or telephone specific data.

The incoming caller data is typically stored in memory storage 110, step320. Additionally, or in the alternative, the incoming caller data maybe cached in memory 250 for later use. Next, additional data associatedwith the incoming caller data is retrieved from memory storage 110, step330. In embodiments of the present invention, based upon the incomingcaller data, a caller database in memory storage 110 may be used toretrieve the additional data such as a priority indicator, an internalcontact person designated for the caller, a client name, names ofproducts associated with the client, and the like. For example, basedupon the incoming caller data, the additional data may indicate that thecaller is from a large client, that the call should be routed to theSales Manager, that the call is a high priority, that the client haspurchased a particular number of Quantum™ boards, and the like.

Next, signal processor 200 retrieves the incoming caller data and theadditional caller data, and encodes these data into re-generated analogcaller identification signals, step 340. Typically the analog calleridentification signals are encoded using the same encoding scheme usedfor the original analog caller identification signals. In the presentembodiment, the encoding scheme is the Caller ID method. In alternativeembodiments, different analog encoding schemes may also be used.

Signal processor 200 then provides a ringing signal to the firsttelephone extension, step 350. The ringing signal typically includes aringing voltage signal with the re-generated analog calleridentification signals embedded therein. In alternative embodiments ofthe present invention, the re-generated analog caller identificationsignals may be sent at a different time than the ringing voltage signal,for example, before any ringing voltage signal is applied.

Next, in response to the re-generated analog caller identificationsignals, the telephone coupled to the first telephone extension, decodesand displays the incoming caller data, and the additional caller data,if any, step 360. In response to the incoming caller data and theadditional caller data, the first user may decide whether to answer thetelephone or not. If the first telephone extension is not answeredwithin a pre-determined period of time, step 370, the incoming telephonecall is typically routed to a voice mail system destination, step 380.In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the incomingtelephone call may be routed to other destinations, such as anattendant, an auto-attendant, another telephone extension, and the like.In embodiments where the incoming telephone call is not answered, there-generated analog caller identification signals are provided whenringing the other destination.

When the first telephone extension is “picked-up” by a first user, theincoming call is coupled to the first telephone extension, step 400. Inembodiments of the present invention, “picking-up” the phone may includeremoving a handset from the cradle, pressing a speaker-phone or head-setbutton, using voice commands to direct telephone server 70 to connectthe call, and the like.

In response to the incoming call, the first user or the caller maydetermine that the incoming call should be transferred or forwarded to asecond user at a different telephone extension, step 410. For example,the caller may want to talk to users in different departments (atdifferent telephone extensions), the first user or the caller maydetermine that the incoming call is more appropriate for another user inher department (at a different telephone extension), and the like. Thisstep is typically initiated by the user pressing a “flash” button on hertelephone, the switch-hook button on her telephone, and the like.

When the first user determines that the incoming call should betransferred, signal processor 200 prompts the user as to the type oftransfer is desired, step 420. In the present embodiment, a “blind”transfer is when user data associated with the first telephone extensionis transferred to the second telephone extension. This type of transferis considered blind, for the user at the second telephone extension, thesecond user, is not made aware of the source of the call, the incomingcall. In the present embodiment, an alternative type of transfer, a“transparent” transfer, is when analog caller identification signalsassociated with the incoming call are used. In particular, the callerdata and the additional caller data are passed onto the second telephoneextension. In response to the prompt, the user typically enters hertransfer selection by pressing one or more keys on her telephone numerickeypad.

In alternative embodiments, additional types of transfers areenvisioned. For example, in one embodiment, data associated with thefirst telephone extension and the caller data may be combined into ananalog caller identification signal sent to the second telephoneextension. In another embodiment, the caller data may be combined with amessage entered by the first user into an analog caller identificationsignal. As an example, the user at the first telephone extension maypress a series of keys on her numeric keypad to enter a brief message, apriority indicator, and the like.

In the case the first user selects a “transparent” transfer, signalprocessor 200 retrieves the incoming caller data and the additionalcaller data, and encodes these data into re-generated analog calleridentification signals, step 430. Typically the analog calleridentification signals are encoded using the same encoding scheme usedfor the original analog caller identification signals. In the presentembodiment, the encoding scheme is the Caller ID method. In alternativeembodiments different analog encoding schemes may also be used. Further,in alternative embodiments of the present invention, only the incomingcaller data, or only the additional caller data are encoded into there-generated analog caller identification signals, and the like.

Signal processor 200 then provides a ringing signal to the secondtelephone extension, step 440. The ringing signal typically includes aringing voltage signal with the re-generated analog calleridentification signals embedded therein. In alternative embodiments ofthe present invention, the re-generated analog caller identificationsignals may be sent at a different time than the ringing voltage signal,for example, after any ringing voltage signal is applied. In embodimentsof the present invention, the ringing voltage signal may also have adifferent ringing pattern when receiving an internal telephone callversus an external telephone call.

Typically, the first user then hangs-up her telephone to complete thetransfer, step 450.

Next, in response to the re-generated analog caller identificationsignals, the telephone coupled to the second telephone extension,decodes and displays the incoming caller data, and the additional callerdata, if any, step 460. In response to the incoming caller data and theadditional caller data, the second user may decide whether to answer thetelephone or not. For example, if the second user is in a meeting, shemay see that the telephone call is labeled “urgent”, and interrupt themeeting to take the call. In another example, if the telephone call isan unwanted sales call, the second user may just ignore the call. If thesecond telephone extension is not answered within a pre-determinedperiod of time, step 470, the incoming telephone call is typicallyrouted to a voice mail system destination or other destinations asdescribed in step 380, above.

When the second telephone extension is “picked-up” by a second user, thetransferred call is coupled to the second telephone extension, step 480.In embodiments of the present invention, “picking-up” the phone mayinclude removing a handset from the cradle, pressing a speaker-phone orhead-set button, using voice commands to direct telephone server 70 toconnect the call, and the like.

In the case of a “blind” transfer, the re-generated calleridentification signal includes data associated with the first telephoneextension, step 490. In this embodiment, steps 440-480 are alsoperformed.

In the present embodiment, the above process may be further repeated ifthe incoming telephone call needs to be forwarded or transferred to yetanother telephone extension. Similar to the process described above, inone embodiment, the second user has the choice to request a blind ortransparent forward or transfer. In alternative embodiments, additionaldata may be appended to the re-generated analog caller identificationsignal.

In another embodiment of the present invention, users can instructsignal processor 200 to automatically forward incoming telephone callsto another telephone extension. For example, if a user knows that shewill work at a new office or cubicle for a short period of time, theuser may instruct all incoming telephone calls to her original telephoneextension be forwarded to her new office or cubicle. In this case, adefault forwarding mode can be pre-set for her incoming calls. Forexample, any incoming telephone calls that are forwarded from heroriginal telephone extension are then transparent forwards, not blindforwards.

In yet another embodiment, any transferring or forwarding of incomingtelephone calls can default to transparent mode, unless a blind transferis requested.

CONCLUSION

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. Many changes,modifications, and enhancements are readily envisioned. For example, inone embodiment of the present invention, additional caller data may beoutput to a computer located in the same office as the telephone user.Further, as another example, a routing history of an incoming call maybe output to the computer or stored as part of a re-generated analogcaller identification signal. For example, a user can see if the callerhas been bounced back and forth between different departments.

Other embodiments of the present invention may include combinations,sub-combinations, and or additions to the above disclosed embodiment. Asan example, default modes for transfers or forwards of incomingtelephone calls may be pre-determined. As another example, theadditional caller data need not be retrieved from memory storage 110 orused in conjunction with the analog caller identification signals.

The block diagrams of the architecture and flow charts are grouped forease of understanding. However it should be understood that combinationsof blocks, additions of new blocks, re-arrangement of blocks, and thelike are contemplated in alternative embodiments of the presentinvention. Further, it should be understood that the terms used hereinare not necessarily to be considered limiting. For example, the aboveembodiments describe analog caller identification signals, however, asused herein, the signals are simply analog signals that may include atelephone number, a name, customer data, and the like.

The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes may be made thereuntowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for routing analog Caller ID signalscomprises: receiving an incoming telephone call for a first internaltelephone extension, the incoming telephone call associated with a firstset of analog Caller ID signals; asserting a ringing signal to the firstinternal telephone extension, the ringing signal including the first setof analog Caller ID signals; coupling the incoming call to the firstinternal telephone extension; receiving a request to couple the incomingcall from the first internal telephone extension to a second internaltelephone extension; receiving a request to send the first set of analogCaller ID signals to the second internal telephone extension; andasserting a ringing signal to the second internal telephone extension,the ringing signal including the first set of analog Caller ID signals.2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of analog Caller IDsignals comprises numbers.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the numbersare encoded with a frequency key shift.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the first set of analog Caller ID signals is also associatedwith caller data; and wherein the method also includes outputting thecaller data.
 5. The method of claim 4 further comprising: encoding thecaller data into a second set of analog Caller ID signals; wherein theringing signal also includes the second set of analog Caller ID signals.6. The method of claim 1 wherein the ringing signal for the secondtelephone extension also includes a second set of analog Caller IDsignals, the second set of analog Caller ID signals associated with thefirst telephone extension.
 7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:after receiving the incoming telephone call for the first telephoneextension, decoding the first set of analog Caller ID signals for callerdata; and before asserting the ringing signal to the second telephoneextension, encoding the caller data to regenerate the first set ofanalog Caller ID signals.
 8. A computer program product for routinganalog identification data in a telephone server including a processorcomprises: code that directs the processor to detect an incomingtelephone call for a first internal telephone extension, the incomingtelephone call associated with a first set of identification data in ananalog format; code that directs the processor to assert a ringingsignal to the first internal telephone extension, the ringing signalincluding the first set of identification data in the analog format;code that directs the processor to couple the incoming call to the firstinternal telephone extension; code that directs the processor to detecta request to couple the incoming call from the first internal telephoneextension to a second internal telephone extension; code that directsthe processor to detect a request to transfer the first set ofinformation data in the analog format to the second internal telephoneextension; and code that directs the processor to assert a ringingsignal to the second internal telephone extension, the ringing signalincluding the first set of information data in the analog format,wherein the codes are stored in a tangible media.
 9. The computerprogram product of claim 8 further comprising code that directs theprocessor to output caller data; wherein the first set of identificationdata in the analog format is also associated with the caller data. 10.The computer program product of claim 9 further comprising: code thatdirects the processor to encode the caller data into a second set ofidentification data in the analog format; wherein the ringing signalalso includes the second set of identification data in the analogformat.
 11. The computer program product of claim 8 wherein the ringingsignal for the second telephone extension also includes a second set ofidentification data in the analog format, the second set of analogidentification data associated with the first telephone extension. 12.The computer program product of claim 11 wherein the second set ofidentification data in the analog format comprises alphanumericcharacters.
 13. The computer program product of claim 8 furthercomprising: code that directs the processor to decode the first set ofidentification data in the analog format for caller data; code thatdirects the processor to store the caller data; and code that directsthe processor to re-encodes the caller data to regenerate the first setof identification data in the analog format.
 14. A telephone serverincluding a processor for routing an analog information signalcomprises: a computer readable memory including: code that directs theprocessor to detect a telephone call from an external telephone for afirst internal telephone, the telephone call associated with aninformation signal in an analog format; code that directs the processorto decode the information signal in the analog format for caller data;code that directs the processor to store the caller data; code thatdirects the processor to form a re-generated information signal in theanalog format in response to the caller data; code that directs theprocessor to provide a ringer signal to the first internal telephone,the ringer signal including the re-generated information signal in theanalog format; code that directs the processor to couple the telephonecall to the first internal telephone; code that directs the processor todetect a request to forward the telephone call from the first internaltelephone to a second internal telephone; code that directs theprocessor to detect a request to forward the caller data to the secondinternal telephone; and code that directs the processor to assert aringer signal to the second internal telephone, the ringer signalincluding the re-generated information signal in the analog format. 15.A telecommunication server of claim 14, wherein the caller data is alsoassociated with other caller data in the computer readable memory; andwherein the computer readable memory also includes code that directs theprocessor to output the other caller data.
 16. The telephone server ofclaim 15 wherein the code that directs the processor to output the othercaller data comprises code that directs the processor to form anadditional information signal in the analog format in response to theother caller data; and wherein the ringing signal also includes theadditional information signal in the analog format.
 17. The telephoneserver of claim 14 wherein the first internal telephone has associatedtelephone data; and the computer readable memory also includes code thatdirects the processor to form an additional information signal in theanalog format in response to the associated telephone data; wherein theringer signal for the second internal telephone includes the additionalinformation signal in the analog format.
 18. The telephone server ofclaim 17 wherein the additional information signal in the analog formatcomprises characters from the class of ASCII characters.
 19. Thetelephone server of claim 14 wherein code that directs the processor toform the re-generated information signal in the analog format is also inresponse to data associated with the caller data.
 20. Thetelecommunication server of claim 14 wherein the computer readablememory also includes: code that directs the processor to prompt a userof the first internal telephone whether the caller data should beforwarded to the second internal telephone.
 21. The telecommunicationserver of claim 20 wherein the caller data comprises Caller ID data.